The July Agreement Became Official on July 27
Boston completed its David Lee acquisition from Golden State on July 27, 2015, sending Gerald Wallace and Chris Babb to the Warriors. The clubs had agreed to the framework earlier in July, explaining why some transaction databases carry an earlier date, but Golden State's official log records July 27 as completion. Boston wanted a proven scoring and rebounding big to test in its developing frontcourt. Golden State had shifted its power-forward responsibilities toward Draymond Green and could move the veteran's substantial contract. It was an immediate player-and-salary exchange rather than a trade involving direct first-round draft compensation.
David Lee Played Thirty Games for Boston
Lee averaged 7.1 points and 4.3 rebounds across 30 Celtics appearances in 2015-16, producing useful but limited reserve minutes. He had once been an All-Star and a central Golden State frontcourt piece, yet those accomplishments belonged to his previous team and did not automatically carry into Boston's rotation. As Brad Stevens leaned on other combinations, Lee's playing time declined. The Celtics waived him in February 2016. Boston's receiving-team return therefore ended after part of one season, but at least consisted of measurable on-court production rather than a purely financial paper transaction.
Golden State Sent Wallace Along in a Separate Deal
Gerald Wallace didn't become a new Warriors rotation fixture, and Chris Babb didn't establish a playing role there. Golden State moved Wallace again on July 31 in a separate exchange with Philadelphia, receiving Jason Thompson while also sending cash and draft consideration. That follow-up made sense as roster management, but the Thompson transaction cannot be merged into the direct list of players Boston sent to Golden State. Treating Thompson's later Warriors appearances as if Boston had directly traded him would confuse two distinct deals. The original Lee swap provided the Warriors contract flexibility, not a comparable replacement veteran who played thirty games for them.
The Result Was an Advantage, Not a Boston Windfall
The Celtics received more direct on-court production from their incoming player than Golden State received from Wallace or Babb. That observation supports a small Boston edge without overstating the impact of a brief Lee experiment. Golden State had strategic reasons to move Lee, particularly its existing frontcourt depth and budget, and subsequently used the Wallace contract in another deal. The trade did not by itself decide the 2015-16 championship picture or add a long-term rotation anchor for either club. Boston's modest grade acknowledges useful minutes while the Warriors' grade recognizes financial and roster utility rather than imagined on-court output.
Final Verdict
Slight Celtics Edge. Boston gets B- for David Lee's 30 games and 7.1 points per game before his February 2016 exit. Golden State receives C+ because Wallace and Babb provided no comparable playing contribution, though the franchise used Wallace's contract in a separate trade and opened frontcourt flexibility. Neither the Warriors' prior championship with Lee nor Thompson's later arrival should be mistaken for direct production acquired in this exchange.